Generosity in NEPA (unemployed, purchase, college)

[bloominscranton]

The generosity in NEPA is amazing! I had never heard of so many programs to provide toys at the holidays until I moved here. Do you ever think that so many programs designed to aid people who are having a hard time make people more dependent on having others do for them and remove personal responsiblity?

[Cpt.Trips]

After Nov. 6th, you need to ask???

[bloominscranton]

Originally Posted by Cpt.Trips

After Nov. 6th, you need to ask???

Not sure what you mean? Doh...you mean the election! I am speaking about NEPA

[bloominscranton]

I was very specific about the holiday toy drives in this area. In the 15 years I lived as an adult on LI, I never heard of so many toy drives. I am not sure if it is simply because this area has so many more poor or if the area just tends to be more generous to the poor.

You see, I am very torn. I think every child deserves a gift a Christmas, but I also know more than one local (born and raised local may I add )family that annually goes to multiple programs and amasse large amounts of gifts for their children. The two families I am thinking of get all the presents from programs and the parents do not purchase any gifts for their children, but do purchase gifts for each other! Now these are not families of GREAT means, but they are not completely down and out poor either.

[PAhippo]

I think it's one of the few if only time people put aside their differences and just try to help-and not just through organizations.

[sheena12]

I think that people in this area are generous to a fault! We have always given a gift to the less fortunate among us through our church and though the Marines "Toys for Tots" program.

Do I think that some people abuse these programs? Yes. And not just in NEPA. I knew a family in NY who was middle class and college educated, but "hit up churches" for toys for their five children! That's just WRONG! Do I think that others do this? Well, if I met one family, there must be others. And I think it's sad.

But the vast majority of people who seek help at Christmas do so because they are unemployed or underemployed.
I would hate to think of even one child awakening on Christmas morning with out gifts.

So, as a family we do our part.

[Magritte25]

Aw, you know you are on NEPA subforum when people are complaining about.....giving toys to underprivileged kids. Warms my shriveled, little heart it does! @@

[bloominscranton]

Originally Posted by PAhippo

I think it's one of the few if only time people put aside their differences and just try to help-and not just through organizations.

thank you.

[sheena12]

This IS a great time of year to put aside political differences - and all differences!

Peace on Earth Good Will to ALL!

~ Sheena

[karen_s]

I always donate toys or help "adopt a family" to the domestic violence programs, because I have personal experience with ours and know that the families they are helping are usually in some sort of acute crisis and going for active counseling and services to improve their situations.